Dawn,
I think I see what you're saying, but there is no place to type in name and password if I am already logged it. I tried logging out, logging back in and the clicking on chat before going anywhere else in the forums, but it still didn't work.

I think I can help ....this happened to me and all you need to do is:
go back to the main forum page,
at top right re-type in your username and password THEN click on LOGIN (even though you appear as if you are already logged in). THEN click on chat.

You can go into the forums and browse the topics without plugging that info in...but apparently when you go to chat (or edit posts) it requires this info be typed in (not sure why, but that's what I discovered).

I cannot seem to get into chat. Everytime I click on "chat" I get a message that says 'anonymous users are not allowed in this application. You must sign in this website first.' I am signed into the PE website, so I'm not really sure what this means.